Archives for May 1, 2014

‘Raij, because of his role in the 2012 lease talks, has a keen understanding of the impact the Bills have on the region. With team owner Ralph Wilson Jr.’s death on March 25, speculation has been growing about who may purchase the team. While the Bills said they expect the team to be sold, no time table has been set.’

‘”We want to send a message to potential ownership groups that we’re very serious about looking at a stadium as part of the package to keep the Bills in Western New York,” said Howard Glaser, the governor’s state operations director who was a key player in the 2012 and 2013 talks that led to the stadium lease deal designed to keep the team from moving for at least the next seven years.’

‘Irwin Raij, who played a key role in negotiating the Bills’ 10-year lease, is staying on to represent the state’s interests in securing the franchise’s long-term future following the death of owner Ralph Wilson.’

‘We do not care what position our pick plays. We intend for whoever we pick to be a starting player. If it happens that a valuable player already plays that position for the Bills, so be it. Injuries, trades, whatever, we’ll work that out later.’

‘Empire State Development has had a contract since the Summer of 2012 with Foley & Lardner to advise them on the Bills issue.’